This is a delightful interview with GB team rider Laura Bechtolsheimer and the fabulous Mistral Hojris (Alf). With only two months to go before the European Champs' '09, Laura tells us about Alf's remarkable form this year which includes two Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special victories and a new British record at Lingen, where the pair finished second to Isabell Werth (Laura and Isabell both scored personal bests). Laura talks to Fiona Price about the rise of Alf, the last issues to be ironed out, his routine, why it's essential to be measured against the best and what she feels about performing to a home crowd at the coming Championships.